The Rise of Affordable Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles in Australia
Aussies are always looking for a bargain, and given the current concerns around fuel prices and availability, some may be looking to step away from combustion-powered vehicles. Not everyone is ready to make the jump to a fully electric vehicle (EV) though, and a plugless hybrid may not be a big enough step for some. Enter the plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), which offers short-range electric-only driving with the benefit of a combustion engine for longer distances or when the battery runs out of charge, eliminating range anxiety.
As such, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 cheapest PHEVs you can buy in Australia right now. We did the same in early 2025, but the list looks drastically different in 2026. The list is now entirely populated by Chinese vehicles, since models like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have been drastically undercut, and all of the models here are priced below $50,000. For context, just two PHEVs in the 2025 list were under that threshold – and only one including on-road costs.
Top Affordable PHEVs in Australia
Below is a detailed look at the top 10 cheapest PHEVs currently available in Australia:
BYD Sealion 5
As was the case 12 months ago, BYD still sells the cheapest PHEV in Australia. The difference is that it’s now the Sealion 5 mid-size SUV, which is priced from $37,396.52 drive-away in NSW. That’s makes it nearly $10,000 cheaper than BYD’s previous cheapest PHEV, the Sealion 6, which still appears on this list, though there’s more than just one digit setting the Sealion 5 apart.
The Sealion 5 is front-wheel drive only and has a smaller 12.9kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery for a maximum EV driving range of 71km in the Essential variant, or an 18.3kWh unit with 100km of EV range in the Premium. It still has a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, and peak system outputs are quoted at 156kW and 300Nm.
| Model | Drive-away price (NSW) | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|---|
| BYD Sealion 5 Essential | $37,396.52 | $33,990 |
| BYD Sealion 5 Premium | $41,516.52 | $37,990 |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new BYD Sealion 5. Click here to get a great deal.
MORE: Explore the BYD Sealion 5 showroom
BYD Seal 6
The Seal 6 is Australia’s cheapest PHEV sedan by a long way. It costs $38,426.52 drive-away in NSW, but its list price of $34,990 before on-road costs is a whopping $54,910 less than the next-cheapest PHEV sedan, the Audi A5 e-hybrid.
Both mid-sizers use a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine at the heart of their powertrains, but have different batteries. The Sedan Essential has a 10.08kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, and the Touring Premium gets a larger 19kWh pack. Pure-electric range is therefore 55km on the WLTP cycle in the sedan, jumping to 100km in the wagon.
| Model | Drive-away price (NSW) | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|---|
| BYD Seal 6 Sedan Essential | $38,426.52 | $34,990 |
| BYD Seal 6 Touring Premium | $43,576.52 | $39,990 |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new BYD Seal 6. Click here to get a great deal.
MORE: Explore the BYD Seal 6 showroom
Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid
The first non-BYD model on this list is the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid mid-size SUV, available for a national drive-away price of $39,990. However, you can currently buy a Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid Urban for as little as $34,990 drive-away, as part of a deal active until June 30, 2026.
Chery’s Super Hybrid system utilises a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, providing a claimed EV-only driving range of 93km. Inside, the Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid is fitted with dual 12.3-inch displays, synthetic leather upholstery, and wireless smartphone mirroring, while the Ultimate adds seat heating and ventilation, as well as a panoramic sunroof.
| Model | Drive-away price |
|---|---|
| Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid Urban | $39,990 |
| Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid Ultimate | $43,990 |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 7. Click here to get a great deal.
MORE: Explore the Chery Tiggo 7 showroom
Geely Starray EM-i
Another arrival in late 2025 was another mid-size SUV, the Geely Starray EM-i, which was launched with a compelling price of $37,490 before on-road costs, or $40,859 drive-away for NSW-based buyers.
Powering the Starray is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an 18.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, delivering a peak total power output of 193kW. That battery is claimed to provide up to 83km of EV-only range based on WLTP testing.
| Model | Drive-away price (NSW) | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|---|
| Geely Starray EM-i Complete | $40,859 | $37,490 |
| Geely Starray EM-i Inspire | $43,434 | $39,990 |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Geely Starray EM-i. Click here to get a great deal.
MORE: Explore the Geely Starray EM-i showroom
Jaecoo J7 SHS
The first PHEV here with a drive-away price above $40,000 is the Jaecoo J7 SHS. It’s sold with a nationwide drive-away price of $43,990. That price excludes a $3,000 drive-away discount, which is in effect until June 30, 2026.
Both Jaecoo J7 SHS variants feature the same powertrain: a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, providing a maximum EV-only range claim of 90km on the WLTP cycle.
| Model | Drive-away price |
|---|---|
| Jaecoo J7 SHS Track | $43,990 |
| Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit | $47,990 |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Jaecoo J7. Click here to get a great deal.
MORE: Explore the Jaecoo J7 showroom
GWM Haval H6 PHEV
The Australian-tuned GWM Haval H6 PHEV (yes, yet another mid-size SUV) is available in three grades, the cheapest of which is priced at $44,990 drive-away nationwide.
GWM has a current drive-away pricing offer active until May 31, 2026. That means the H6 Lux PHEV 2WD is available for $40,990 drive-away, the H6 Ultra PHEV 2WD for $43,990 drive-away, and the H6 Ultra PHEV AWD for $45,990 drive-away.
| Model | Drive-away price |
|---|---|
| GWM Haval H6 Lux PHEV 2WD | $44,990 |
| GWM Haval H6 Ultra PHEV 2WD | $47,990 |
| GWM Haval H6 Ultra PHEV AWD | $51,990 |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new GWM Haval H6. Click here to get a great deal.
MORE: Explore the GWM Haval H6 showroom
Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid
Chery’s Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid was launched at the same time as the smaller Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid, and it’s slightly pricier at $45,990 drive-away across Australia. That price excludes a current ‘Factory Bonus Offer’ that takes $2000 off the Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid range until June 30, 2026.
Both variants utilise the same powertrain as the Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid, meaning they’re fitted with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and an 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack. Claimed NEDC driving range is the same at 93km, and it’s also front-drive only.
| Model | Drive-away price |
|---|---|
| Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid Urban | $45,990 |
| Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid Ultimate | $49,990 |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 8. Click here to get a great deal.
MORE: Explore the Chery Tiggo 8 showroom
BYD Sealion 6
Not much has changed since BYD introduced the base-spec Sealion 6 Essential in 2025, which means the range still starts at $46,666.52 drive-away for buyers in NSW. That said, there have been some tweaks further up the range.
The Essential continues to use an 18.3kWh LFP battery, with a claimed NEDC electric driving range of 92km. All variants use a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, though the Premium adds a turbocharger.
| Model | Drive-away price (NSW) | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|---|
| BYD Sealion 6 Essential | $46,666.52 | $42,990 |
| BYD Sealion 6 Dynamic Extended | $50,848.52 | $46,990 |
| BYD Sealion 6 Premium Extended | $57,148.52 | $52,990 |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new BYD Sealion 6. Click here to get a great deal.
MORE: Explore the BYD Sealion 6 showroom
Leapmotor C10 Hybrid EV
The Leapmotor C10 Hybrid EV (previously known as the REEV) is an outlier on this list, as it’s technically an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) rather than a PHEV. Regardless, it’s priced at $47,541 drive-away in NSW.
The EREV designation applies because the C10’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine doesn’t directly drive the wheels; instead, it acts only as a generator to charge its 28.4kWh battery on the move. Of course, you can still plug in to charge the battery and fill it up with petrol, like you would with a PHEV.
| Model | Drive-away price (NSW) | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|---|
| Leapmotor C10 Hybrid EV Style | $47,541 | $43,888 |
| Leapmotor C10 Hybrid EV Design | $50,699 | $47,888 |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Leapmotor C10. Click here to get a great deal.
MORE: Explore the Leapmotor C10 showroom
MG HS Super Hybrid
Rounding out the list is yet another mid-size SUV, the MG HS Super Hybrid, priced from $48,990 drive-away nationally. The HS Super Hybrid is currently eligible for a drive-away offer that expires on June 30, 2026, bringing the base Excite down to $42,990 drive-away and the Essence to $46,990 drive-away.
Powering the HS Super Hybrid is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a 24.7kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. MG says it can cover up to 135km (NEDC) on electric power alone.
| Model | Drive-away price |
|---|---|
| MG HS Super Hybrid Excite | $48,990 |
| MG HS Super Hybrid Essence | $52,990 |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG HS. Click here to get a great deal.
MORE: Explore the MG HS showroom
